I don't have to tell you how much I love this story. But... I LOVE this story! I love that your characters are consistently, well, CHARACTERIZED, for lack of a better word. I know you always say that you don't write stereotypical characters and it's true, you don't. As a writer myself I know how easy it can be to write a stereotype instead of a character, but with every chapter I can tell more and more that you KNOW your characters and I love that. I love the way we're starting to see a little bit more of Seth, and it just makes me love him more. You've managed to make him (or he has made HIMSELF, as I suspect the case may be) a normal guy with a very sweet side that doesn't show all the time and make him seem like a Prince Charming type character. I must admit, the fact that he isn't always sweet makes me worry about what he'll be like next, because he was so sweet to Melissa in this chapter... Random fact, I love the way this story is just like life. Even with the best written stories by professional authors, I can often see where they're going with the story long before it ever gets there, but I keep puzzling back and forth with this one... Who will Brian end up with, where will Melissa go to school, will Seth stay now that Debbie is pregnant, is there more going on with April than meets the eye and will she ever start being a friend to Melissa again? Those are just a few of the questions that I can honestly see going either way right now and I LOVE that! Also, when I was reading Chapter 18 I got interrupted just after Melissa's freak out about Seth not wearing a condom. So the entire hour or so that I was away from the story I kept thinking "oh Seth.. Don't be so desperate to have a family that you'll go so far as to get your girlfriend pregnant just to have one." And then you addressed that in the story once I got back to it! :D But I do have to wonder why Seth didn't use a condom. Did he just get caught up in what was happening and forget, or do I have to wonder about his ulterior motives in this situation too?

I must say, it's a good thing you like long reviews! And I have to add my thanks for updating even though you're busy. Glad you've found your muse. :D

EPP!

That, is quite literally, what I did. :) Yes, I eeped. I love, love, LOVE Seth. I don't know if I've said this before, but its like I can imagine him in my head. A bit like Jess in "Brothers & Best Friends" kind of a Milo Ventimiglia. No idea if I spelt that right, but yeah, that's what I mean :D. BEAUTIFUL.

I'm actually kind of feeling sorry for Brian, does he...get it together? But I kind of hope he and Melissa don't get together...I mean, Seth all the way, 'kay? Hah.

And, arrg, I love Seth and Melissa's relationship. It's sweet, annd...although he's this badass, he totally cares for her doesn't he?

Will he ever say he loves her?

I need to know!

I'm sitting on the edge of my seat. That is how tense I am.

Hahaha.

I can't wait for the next update :)

I'll f'sho keep reading.

Kimberley

I originally planned on not leaving a review since I have a whole lot of revision to do but as you can see I ended up reviewing.

Great chapter. That uneasy feeling that Melissa isn't going to end up with Seth keeps peaking...please prove me wrong!

Sounds like it's the calm before the (horrendous?) storm.

Btw since Ive only read Because of you by you and it had a sad and then kinda open ending, I may be thinking that's a reoccuring ...oh wait I've read Brothers and best friends and that was a great ending ...if memory serves correct.

Anyway got to go torture myself. Lovely chapter and let Seth know that I'll have his babies anyday.

I just read the whole story through tonight, and I am so glad I did! I had been wanting to read this story since last summer when I saw it come up, and I just kept pushing it off (life happens, as you probably know), but I'm glad I finally got the chance.

It's interesting that you say that you like the characters that aren't cliché or stereotypical, but I feel like Melissa is a little. You addressed it yourself when you know that Melissa is a little shallow, since it was the world she was raised in, but, at least from my end, she is just (well, maybe not "just") a teen looking to figure out who she is in the world, apart from her friends and family who were that "security blanket." I like how Seth seems to, in his own way, balance her out, and I love the two of them together. He's a really fantastic character! I've probably pointed out a lot of the obvious, but it was just a thought I had in the back of my head while I was reading it.

I adore how you write and wish I could characterize as wonderfully as you.

At any rate, keep updating, because I am most definitely hooked now! :D

great chapter, very emotional indeed. i wasn't mad at all when the sex was stopped in the middle. it was for a good reason and i liked how the chapter kept on going. keep up the good work! your the writer and you should do watever you want. don't let anybody else tell you how to do it. it's not their story or their imagination. it's yours.

Definitely eventful, lots of interesting developments in that chapter. I love that they've finally slept together and how it was all awkward for a moment, lol.

Her father is really strict and protective. I was hoping he would be a little more lenient with her and allow her to spend Thanksgiving with him but I guess not. He's very difficult, I feel for Melissa. It must suck to have everyone against you and your relationship but I'm confident they can make it regardless of what anyone thinks. ;)

I really like Melissa though, one of the major reasons for that is because her character can't be categorized and she isn't stereotypical. Honestly, I know a lot of people who can't be put into groups like that and judged. I certainly can't and I try not to do that to others because we are all different and possess all kinds of traits and characteristics that sometimes can't be classified. She's definitely one of those people so I applaud your decision to go that route with her, you've developed her character very well and it's been interesting to read what goes through her mind and how she acts. I hope you continue to do so, can't wait for more!

O.M.G.

HOLY! #$&!#(*$!)(#*$)(& $(*!# THEY DID IT!

:O :O

hahha

oh my... that was.. very eventful.. *GASP* will she get pregnant and some MAJOR drama start? .. hope not... :/

thanks so much for this chapter! :D

OMG! Normally, I really hate text talk but really, OMG!

You had the family fight, and the best friend comforting, and the losing of the virginity, all wrapped up in one little amazingly awesome chapter update!

Course, as per usual, love your style. It's so smooth and flow-y. That's the kind you find amongst the professinoal of the writers. BUT OMG! crazy stuff. I'm so anxious to see how it all goes from this point with her parents, school, Seth, AND Brian. ...(hint) :)

Major laugh-out-loud at your explanation. I read your stories precisely *because* these characters feel like they could be legit people. Besides you and one other author on this site, (the rest have jumped ship due to life or stupid awful plagiarism shenanigans), I don't read anything else on FP, so... kudos!

And aww... I just want these two to work out... but we know life rarely turns out the way you want it... but good job. You really get a sense of Seth's ability to take control of situations when he was asking her about where she went after dinner... at first I was a bit miffed at Melissa kind of folding at his questions... but then Seth brought up the reverse scenario if he had been the one to hang out with another girl in the pool for a few hours, so I guess it makes sense for him to be rightly inquisitive, but still, I felt a little uneasy for a few sentences as Melissa tried to evade answering straight up. I know that Melissa is no push-over, but I guess it demonstrates how she's still in that transition of having been the girl that went along with things in a mostly unaware passive manner to one with independent thought, feeling and action. But to me it felt, very subtly, that she, in very small, minute moments in that scene, is the one giving or being controlled.

It's also telling (and another display of his control issues) that she doesn't even know where her boyfriend works if she wanted to stop by/needed him. So many layers/barriers to get through for this guy.

Anyway, just thought I'd drop by and give you some reviewing love. )

It was even more perfect than I thought it could be... all the flaws and all the little mistakes... it's what made it perfect, what made it, so.. oh so real.

You really are an incredible writer. Thank you for updating so fast. Can't wait for next chapter... I know they'll have like a zillion issues along the way, that he isn't ready for this kind of relationship, and that she's in way over her head... But they'll make it :)

Wow her parents are being so

in resonabe! But aw they finally did it and she said i love you! So cute!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE CONTINUE! This is such an amazing story, I love it so much! I will literally cry when its over! QUICK WRITE MORE!

Ahh I'm kinda in love with Seth. Well I was in the beginning, then I feel OUT of love with him for a few chapters, but now I'm hopelessly head over heels for him again. This story is amazing, I'm happy to finally see some characterization come into play with Seth. I'm still a little worried about Melissa, in the beginning of the story you gave us the impression that she's a goody-two-shoes-rich-girl, but now I'm not so sure what you were aiming at with her. Fantastic overall, though. I absolutely love it and hope you update soon.

P.S. Seth's birthday is also MY birthday!

I freakin' love Seth and your creative mind ;)

aw love hoe Seth is opening up...and i truly love this chpter...heh liked how they were taking about the future and them still ebing togeter...it's cute...update soon plz! :D :D